By Kathy Nichols, Guest columnist.
July 12, 2020
On July 2, I received my morning paper, and the first thing I saw was Jeff Platsky’s article pertaining to the proposed battery recycle plant.
I would like to first start with his statement, “About 100 participants signed into the Zoom session.” Yes, he was correct, but let me clarify this: only 100 people were allowed in!
Second, as stated, more than a dozen pre-submitted questions were answered. Let us think about this — if each person in attendance sent two questions, that is 200 questions, which comes to roughly 6% of which was chosen by Danish Mir or the PR company.
Danish Mir’s response to our questions were no different than the information that has previously been given to us, and we had no opportunity to ask for specification of his responses. However, the community leaders were given the opportunity to speak and ask questions at the private Zoom meeting. They repeatedly state the building is perfect for their needs; maybe the building is this because it is built to implode rather than explode, which if this is such a safe process why would that be so important? In comparison to the building in Korea, which sits out in the middle of nowhere, this site sits among residential homes, local restaurants, and a park.
A question that has been asked so many times: Is if this is so safe, why do the employees in Korea enter wearing hazmat suits? The report sent to the DEC by the company was controlled testing done for six hours, with no evidence as to what was specifically being recycled; are we to 100% believe and trust their statements?
We are consistently being told we need to be educated but are continually being told the same answers while insulting the outside people who have stepped up to explain all aspects as best they could. Why, because there is not another facility like this in the U.S. They have hopes to build more in the U.S., which I agree is especially important, but I disagree that the middle of Village of Endicott is where the “test” plant should be.
Furthermore, the residents of Endicott have the right to question and approve this “clean industry,” which in my opinion at this stage is highly questionable, because of the tax incentives that come from the residents.
Kathy Nichols is an Endicott resident.
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